The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-05-07

heard her long lost voice in his ear. AS the
warm winds outside had melted away the
snow. so his rage died away.
"Nigili, she said, softly, you suffer your
anger to go too far O."
what do you come here for?" he asked,
eagerly.
II want to speak TO your mother" she
answered, III some slight confusion Il
wish 10 ask her if she will take me as
servant
Vigil threw the hot iron into a corner
Come in, he reioined; mother is max
ing coffee. And whether she wants SER
want or not, place in the house can be
found for you"
And with fast throbbng heart, Franzis
rough lover led her through the smithy into
a room beyond it, where the dame as
busiy engaged In preparig the evening
meal.
What does she here?" the blacksmith s
mother inquired, casting q contemptuous
look upon the poor girl. you know what
Miss Isidora says of her.
Miss Isidora be hanged" returned the
son, in his old rough way What DO | care
what she says? l love this girl" he added,
taking FranZi's hand as he spoke; and as
am master here, | can do as / please.
Now. mother, you are answered, so make
no more TODD, but let Us have some
supper.
no, she is good-for- naught, and will
not have her here. "
But | Will give her the right to be here
if she will LET me, Vigil replied, raising
his clenched hand, and then bringing it
down with bang upon the table near him.
Speak" he went on, in softened tones, and
turning again to Franzi. You shall decide
the question at once. VIII you be my wife?
Yes, or no?"
The girl reflected. If she became the wife
of the blacksmith, the tongues of the SLAM
derous would at once be silenced and Al
berts name would be preserved. She
looked at the coarse, burly man by her side,
smothered a rising sob, and smiled upon
him.
The hand you hold is yours, Vigili," she
spoke firmly. If you Will take poor girl
who can bring neither name nor honor tic
your house, then l say yes. l will be yours
truly and faithfully"
Nigili's JOY demonstrated itself very nois-
lily, and he would have folded FranZi in his
arms, had he not been afraid to take so
great q liberty with her
Wen have the wedding morrow, eh?'
he said.
Franzi readily assented to his proposal.
mother, you'd better put your sulks in your
pocket, think. and look pleasantly upon
her. You'll have to do SO sooner or later,
you know
Then he broke off abruptly, called one of
the workmen out of the smithy, and babe
him run across the street and fetch the
schoolmaster. Then adding, Tell him he
must leave whatever work he may be about
and come to me at once. Bid him bring a
big sheet of parchment for "A wedding is
going to take place at the smithy."
When the schoOlmaster heard this aston
lshlng piece of news, he rushed across the
street lnstanter, anxious to learn who the
bride was. His amazement and anger were
great when he found it was Franzi. lie
could hardly conceal his feelings To
think that that girl should become the wife
of one of the richest men in Nolotholl"
he mentally exclaimed 1T shan't be- I'll
put stop to it !"
Vigil, as blind in his JOY as he was
sometimes in his rage paid no attention to
the man looks, but babe him write from
his dictation.
Il endow my wife that is to be with my
house, my shop, all the money l have in
the bank, and with myself into the bar
gain, he said; 80 now write away, old fell
low, and mind you make no mistakes"
The schoolmaster hesitated. He had
forgotten to bring with him a sheet of
parchment" he explained. "He would run
and fetch it,"
And he left the house, but returned after
an absence of a few minutes only during
which time he had dispatched a messenger
Tor Miss Isidora), and then he commenced
AIs task. When II was finished to the salts
faction of the blacksmith, some neighbors
were called IN to witness the document. As
one of the men took up a pen, the door Of
the room was suddenly flung wide, and the
Wears niece was added to the scene.
The lady cast whitening look upon poor
Franzi, who had retreated into one corner
of the apartment; then she burst forth
So it is true, then! You are going to wed
this wicked GIRL" Miss Isidora cried, ad-
dressing Vigil. Il am sorry to interrupt
you in this abrupt manner, but / lave
certain duty to perform. Your mother be-
longs 10 our society, and | am come to her
help. She can not remain IN her sons
house now; my uncle's dwelling Will re-
ceive her"
And, with that, she took the woman g
hand, and led her to the door. But, ere
they could cross the threshold, the black
smith had sprung in their way and barred
their exit.
What are you to my mother Nat you
should thus control her actions?" he de-
manded. This is her home. Why should
she leave lit"
Because, a good woman can not live
under the same roof with such a shameless
creature as that Miss Isidora replied,
pointing to Franz, who uttered cry, and
covered her face with her hands.
Vigil was white with rage Whom do
you call n shameless creature2'
She who deserves no other name, re-
torted Miss Isidora
"Of what do you accuse herr" he went
on. We all know what happened on
Christmas Eve, and that she was not to
blame, and 1 will not have her insulted by
either you or any one else.
Indeed sneered the wears niece.
What will you say when / tell you that |
myself saw her secretly leave the chaplain's
ROOM
"Franzi.' exclaimed the smith, turning to
her, and speaking under his breath
The girl did not uncover her face, but
stood there shuddering and weeping
You do not answer me" pursued he
Heaven and earth, is it true2'
FRO BE CONTINUED